Protester Who Set Himself Alight is Dead

Moshe Silman, 57, had been anesthetized and respirated for six days with burns on 90% of his body.

Contact Editor

Gil Ronen, 20/07/12 16:07

Moshe Silman after he set himself on fire

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Medical staff at Sheba Medical Center determined Friday that Moshe Silman, the protester who set himself on fire Saturday, has died.

Silman, 57, suffered burns on 90% of his body and was evacuated to the hospital in critical condition. He was held in the Intensive Care Unit for six days, where he was anesthetized and respirated, until his death.

Silman arrived at the "social justice" demonstration in Tel Aviv with a container of flammable liquid. During the protest, he poured it on himself and set himself on fire. Police and other protesters doused the flames, but Silman was already critically injured.

Silman left behind a letter in which he accused Israeli bureaucracy of humiliating him and denying him public housing. "I did reserve duty until age 46 and lost my ability to work. I do not want to live in the street," he wrote. "The state of Israel robbed me and stole from me, and left me with nothing."